It was one of those perfect days, temperature in the mid- 20s and a gentle breeze coming in off the ocean.
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My goal was to find nesting oystercatchers, especially the pied oystercatcher.
Driving along the beach there were a few birds around. A brahminy kite made a short appearance and I managed to get a shot.
My plan was to drive in short spells and then walk to the edge of the dunes and watch for nesting birds.
This went on for some time before I spotted two birds well away from the shore line that were staying in one area.
I kept my eye on the spot and walked up the dunes, and in due course spotted the eggs.
It was going to be difficult to get close to the birds, so I set my small hide close to the nest and left.
I knew the lighting would be better later in the afternoon, so I returned to the beach where I came across a bird I had never spotted before. I managed a few shots before the pair lifted off – they turned out to be richards pipits, quite a nice looking bird.
Moving along I came to the headland and found a number of soot oystercatchers feeding in the rock areas.
I took a number of shots of them feeding and in flight.
As the afternoon came on I returned to the hide with camera and tripod. I didn’t have long to wait before the pied oystercatcher returned to sit on the eggs.
I took a number of shots and then left as I did not want to disturb the bird too much as the eggs could overheat.
The pied oystercatcher is a striking bird, but the sharp contrast between its brilliant white wing bar and rump and its otherwise black body and wings is best appreciated when it flies.
Oystercatchers are found on oceans, beaches and estuaries. They feed on the inter-tidal zones of estuaries when the retreating tide uncovers rich beds of marine animals.
It was an interesting and productive day in enjoyable weather.
All the images were taken with the canon camera, 100-400 stabiliser lens and available light.